AIIMS2010Chemistryp Block Elements (Group 15, 16, 17 & 18)
Assertion : PCl ₅ is covalent in gaseous and liquid states but ionic in solid state. Reason : PCl ₅ in solid state consists of tetrahedral PCl ₄⁺ cation and octahedral PCl ₆⁻ anion.
Options
- AIf both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
- BIf both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
- CIf assertion is true but reason is false
- DIf both assertion and reason are false.
Correct answer
A. If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
Step-by-step solution
PCl ₅ is trigonal bipyramidal containing s p^3 d hybridized P atom in liquid and gaseous states whereas in solid state it consists of tetrahedral PCl ₄⁺ cation and octahedral PCl ₆⁻ anion.